FIFA World Cup 2022: England to face France in quarter-finals as star’s family are caught in armed robbery
England star Raheem Sterling’s partner and two kids were caught up in a horror armed robbery which forced the 27-year-old out of the World Cup. But will he be back for the quarter-final?
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FULL TIME: England 3-0 Senegal (England into quarter-finals)
FULL TIME France 3-1 Poland (France into quarter-finals)
Gareth Southgate said that “football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first” after Raheem Sterling returned home to be with his family who were subjected to a terrifying ordeal back in the UK.
Armed intruders broke into Sterling’s Surrey home on Saturday night, with a spokesman for the Chelsea forward confirming that his partner, Paige Milian, and the couple’s two young children were in the house at the time.
The FA announced 90 minutes before kick-off at the Al Bayt Stadium that Sterling was not available for selection for the round-of-16 clash with Senegal because of a “family matter”. The 27-year-old was described as “shaken” and “concerned for the wellbeing of his children”. After watching his side beat Senegal 3-0 to advance through to the quarter-finals, Southgate confirmed that Sterling was flying home.
“Raheem is having to deal with a family situation,” the England manager said. “He’s going back to England. We’ve got to give him time to resolve that with his family. We’ve got to give him that space.
“It didn’t impact my team selection. I spent a lot of time with Raheem this morning. You have days when events happen and you have to deal with them. I had to hand that over to others but he’s on his way home now.
“We are mindful that he needs space and his privacy protected so we don’t want to go into too much detail.
“It’s not ideal for the group going into a big game but it pales into insignificance because the individual is more important.”
Asked in his post-match interview with ITV if Sterling would return to Qatar, Southgate said: “We’ve got to wait and see. At the moment, clearly the priority is for him to be with his family. It’s a situation that he needs time with his family to deal with, and I don’t want to put him under any pressure with that. Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing, and family should come first.”
A family source told The Sun: “This was terrifying for her and obviously traumatic for all the family.
“Raheem will have been beside himself with worry when he heard.
“To be away when your partner and children are at home when an armed gang breaks in is beyond words.
“It looks like about £300,000 ($AU500k) of watches have been taken. The police were there several hours.”
Sterling started England’s first two games of the tournament — scoring in the opening 6-2 win over Iran — and, with 81 caps, has been one of Southgate’s most trusted players during his reign.
The situation left the England camp in shock. Harry Kane, the captain, said: “Our thoughts are with him and his family. It’s a private matter for him but it’s never easy to see a team-mate and friend having to deal with something like that.
“He will take the decision that is best for his family but we hope to see him as soon as possible.”
Sterling, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer, was outstanding in last year’s European Championship, scoring three goals during England’s progression through to the final.
10.30AM ENGLAND BRACE FOR ‘BIGGEST TEST’
Gareth Southgate admits England will face the “biggest test” of their World Cup ambitions when they face holders France in a blockbuster quarter-final on Saturday.
Southgate’s side recovered from a nervous start before powering to a 3-0 win against Senegal in their last 16 clash at the Al Bayt Stadium.
England will return to the Al Khor desert at the weekend for a titanic showdown with a France side looking to become the first team to win successive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
While England looked impressive once Jordan Henderson put them ahead against Senegal, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka also netting against the African champions, Southgate knows Didier Deschamps’ team are a significant step up in class.
“It is the biggest test we could face. They are world champions, with an incredible depth of talent and outstanding players. They are very hard to play against and score goals against,” Southgate said.
“It’s a fantastic challenge. It’s a historic rivalry with great games from the past. It’s a brilliant game for us to be involved in and test ourselves against the very best.”
Fuelled by Paris Saint Germain striker Kylian Mbappe, France beat Poland 3-1 in the last 16, just hours before England joined them in the quarter-finals.
Mbappe struck twice against the Poles and already has five goals in this year’s tournament.
“Mbappe is of course a world class player. He has already delivered big moments in this tournament and in previous tournaments,” Southgate said.
“Griezmann is also a phenomenal player, we know Giroud so well and they have outstanding midfield players as well. It is a huge test but one we are really looking forward to.”
England captain Harry Kane agreed with Southgate’s glowing assessment of France, saying: “Saturday will be a really tough evening. France are a great team. They are the reigning champions.
“If you want to win the World Cup you have to play the best sides in the world and France are definitely one of them.”
9:25AM MESSI MOMENTO
Cam Devlin was the lucky Socceroos that bagged Messi’s shirt after the Argentina defeat.
Incredible, he walks away with the GOAT jersey and didn’t actually play a single minute of the World Cup. Great few weeks for him eh.
What do you reckon Messi does with all the shirts he’s given?
Cam Devlin getting Messis jersey. @Socceroos#Socceroos    #GiveIt100pic.twitter.com/dyWvYQqVql
— DM (@d_moon88) December 4, 2022
8:15AM ‘DEADLY’ ENGLAND SET UP EVERY SIDE’S WORST NIGHTMARE
‘Deadly’ England are finally playing the kind of football their rivals expected but it has not been without drama and next comes every team’s worst nightmare.
After six World Cup matches without a goal, Harry Kane finally found the back of the net for England, and it was glorious.
The best way to silence your critics.
The skipper’s effort came soon after Jordan Henderson broke the deadlock with a belter of a goal from open play.
Jude Bellingham was crucial to both goals.
An intimidating showdown with France awaits England and they will no doubt have seen the insane performance put on by Kylian Mbappe earlier this morning.
The real jaw-dropper for England however has been Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop Marcus Rashford in favour of Bukayo Saka.
The criticism was widespread in the early stages of the match however, Southgate’s plans came to fruition with England’s third goal securing a quarter-final showdown with defending champions France.
While the majority will look to Mbappe’s incredible strike rate as a reason to tag England the underdogs, Mark Bosnich hailed Southgate’s men as true contenders.
“I don’t think they (England) were tested as much as France will test them but I think I was impressed by their patience,” e said.
“They were finding it difficult to break the press of Senegal and then when they had the opportunity they broke really quickly. They are deadly, when they break they have a lot of good, quick players and lethal players and we have seen in World Cups before.”
England striker Raheem Sterling was ruled out of the World Cup round of 16 match against Senegal due to unspecified family reasons.
8AM KANE THRILLED
Not a surprise but you cannot wipe the grin of Harry Kane’s face right now.
Here’s what the England captain had to say.
“Really tough, knockout games are never easy,” he said. “We showed great maturity through the tournament, and 3-0 against a really good side, credit to the boys, the mentality was top from the beginning and we took our chances when they came.
“We feel good, we’ve got good runners and players getting forward, and then solid at the back. Three clean sheets in a row is really important. A really good day for us.”
And as for France?
“We enjoyed this one,” Kane added.
“But of course our focus turns straight to that. It is going to be a tough game, they are reigning champions, but it will be a good battle. We recovered nicely now and then get ready for the game.”
FULL-TIME: ENG 3-0 SENEGAL
It’s Coming Home (if we can beat the French) the newest version of the ‘96 Baddiel and Skinner classic - coming soon.
England with their most clinical performance of the Cup ease into the quarter-finals and it’s a somewhat terrifying clash with France coming their way at the weekend.
Bellingham was near perfect MOTM no doubt.
And a quick shout out to the Senegal fans that have made their matches SO much fun. 100% the best fans of the Cup for me.
80MINS: TIP THE HAT
For all the criticism he has copped in recent years and weeks, Gareth Southgate is getting all the big decisions right when he needs to.
Myself included, many were baffled by Saka getting the nod over Rashford but now we see his vision.
Won’t doubt the waistcoat again.
FRENCH FREAK BETTER THAN MESSI, RONALDO AND PELE?
Kylian Mbappe said he dreamed of winning the World Cup for a second time after his brace helped France to a 3-1 win over Poland which advanced the holders to the quarter-finals in Qatar.
“Of course, this World Cup is an obsession for me, it’s the competition of my dreams,” said the 23-year-old who burst onto the global stage by starring when France won the title in Russia four years ago.
“I have built my season around this competition and around being ready both physically and mentally for it.
“I wanted to come here ready and so far things are going well, but we are still a long way from the objective we set and that I set.”
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar now has five goals in just four games at the tournament and is already France’s second-top scorer ever at the World Cup with nine goals in 11 appearances overall.
Only Just Fontaine, who scored an incredible 13 times at the 1958 tournament in Sweden, has more World Cup goals for France.
He’s also tied on World Cup goals scored with Lionel Messi (who has played five World Cups) and one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The striker’s double means he also surpasses Pele’s seven as the most ever for a player aged under 24.
At just 23, Mbappe will expect to eventually pass Miroslav Klose’s all-time WC record of 16 goals.
However Mbappe insisted he was not bothered about the prospect of winning the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player.
“The only objective for me is to win the World Cup which means now to win the quarter-final,” said Mbappe, who also set up the opening goal against Poland for Olivier Giroud.
“That is what I am dreaming of. I didn’t come here to win the Golden Ball. That is not why I am here. I am here to win and help the French national team.”
ENGLAND SCORE: 2-0
No offence Harry Kane but it’s about bloody time mate. Finally scores his first of the tournament and it’s a fairly decent strike eh? Free flowing run from open play and a beauty of a strike just on the right of the 30 yard box. Stunning play from Bellingham - again
Tasty.
ENGLAND AHEAD: 1-0
Finally they’ve broken the deadlock and just in the nick of time as well because Senegal were starting to look the more creative side...and probably deserved the lead more than England.
Actually a very well constructed goal for Henderson off a counter, only his third goal in 70 international caps but without doubt the most important. A brilliant run from Bellingham down the left to set him up.
25 MINS IN ENG v SEN
The first big chance of the match falls to Ismaila Sarr with the Senegal forward testing Jordan Pickford but it goes astray.
Senegal also giving their best academy performance for an early spot kick, but the ref’s having none of it.
ENGLAND STAR OUT OF CUP?
England striker Raheem Sterling was ruled out of the World Cup round of 16 match against Senegal due to unspecified family reasons.
“Raheem Sterling is not available for selection for the Three Lions tonight (Sunday) as he is dealing with a family matter,” the England team’s official twitter account posted.
The Chelsea forward played in England’s first two group stage games, scoring in the opening 6-2 win over Iran, but did not start the third match against Wales.
Sterling has been a regular starter for England under manager Gareth Southgate, featuring in the last World Cup in Russia in 2018 and the run to the final of the Euro 2020 tournament.
Southgate said that he had spoken at length with Sterling earlier in the day.
“He is dealing with a family matter. I had quite a bit of time with him this morning but I have had to pass that on to other people to help him with that.”
Asked if Sterling would return to the squad should England progress in the competition, the England manager said: “He will go and deal with that matter and we will have to take it from there.”
Fans and experts were also baffled with Marcus Rashford - the tournament’s lead scorer - was dropped for the clash.
6AM PELE HEALTH UPDATE
Fans of football superstar Pele congregated outside the Sao Paulo hospital where the 82-year-old Brazilian icon is being treated for a respiratory infection.
More than 100 devotees prayed for the recovery of the man widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.
The three-time world champion had been hospitalized on Tuesday amid ongoing treatments for colon cancer, a condition first diagnosed in September 2021.
“We are a spiritual force” praying for the sporting idol as he wages “one of the toughest battles of his life,” one fan, Marcos Bispo dos Santos, told AFP.
Doctors at Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital said Saturday that Pele -- born Edson Arantes do Nascimento -- remained “stable.” Pele “has had a good response to care without any worsening in the clinical picture in the last 24 hours,” they said in a statement.
5:32AM WENGER SLAMMED OVER ‘POLITICAL’ TAKE ON GERMANY
By Joe Barton
Former Arsenal manager, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger has come under fire for “disgraceful” comments suggesting Germany’s early World Cup exit was due to “political demonstrations”.
Germany were shock group stage losers, unable to recover after an opening match defeat to Japan, in a result that stunned the football world.
The German team also drew major headlines when they staged a protest prior to the Japan game over FIFA’s banning of the rainbow OneLove captain’s armband – posing for a photo with their hands over their mouths pre-game, intimating they’d been gagged by the game’s governing body.
Japan would go on to produce a stunning upset, despite having just 26 per cent possession, and Wenger bizarrely argued it was the teams – like early winners France and England – who focused on football, rather than politics, who triumphed.
“You know when you go to a World Cup, you know you can’t lose the first game. The teams who have the experience to perform in tournaments like France and England played well in the first game.
“The teams who were mentally ready, with a mindset to focus on competition, and not the political demonstrations.”
In their opening game, France beat the Socceroos – who created international headlines in the build-up to the Qatar tournament by releasing a video statement calling out the country’s human rights record, lacklustre conditions for migrant workers and its stance on same-sex relationships.
Australia would quickly rebound with victories over Tunisia and Denmark, before pushing Argentina to the brink in a thrilling 2-1 defeat in the Round of 16 knockout match.
Socceroos great Craig Foster slammed Wenger’s comments as “disgraceful”.
“Disgraceful comments by Wenger. Propagating the FIFA line that athletes shouldn’t stand up for human rights & that a desire for social justice inhibits athletic performance,” Foster wrote on Twitter.
“Human rights aren’t politics, Arsene & values shouldn’t be for sale.”
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Same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships is criminalised in Qatar, a Muslim-majority country with Islam as the state religion.
Germany’s firm position put a target on their backs in Qatar, who celebrated the two-time champions’ group stage stumble.
Their anti-homophobia stance was openly mocked on Qatari TV in the hours after their elimination, with presenters mimicking their mouth-covering while laughing and waving ‘bye Germany’ in a post-match show.
RUTHLESS FRANCE STORM INTO QUARTER-FINALS
Kylian Mbappe set up a history-making goal for Olivier Giroud and then scored two himself as holders France eased into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Poland on Sunday.
Giroud’s opening goal a minute before half-time was his 52nd for his country, allowing him to pass Thierry Henry and become France’s all-time record marksman.
Mbappe’s lethal strike in the 74th minute killed off any prospect of a Poland comeback and he netted again at the death to move to nine goals in just 11 World Cup appearances.
At the other end, the threat of Robert Lewandowski was snuffed out by the French defence although the 34-year-old Poland captain did get the consolation of scoring a stoppage-time penalty.
France march on to the quarter-finals and are on course to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil 60 years ago.
“It wasn’t easy because Poland were well organised and tried to counter us,” France coach Didier Deschamps told broadcaster TF1.
“Then there is Kylian with his ability to resolve all sorts of problems, and that’s just as well for us.
“This team has been united from the beginning and obviously a result like this one confirms that. The joy is shared among everyone.”
KANE FIT, READY TO BREAK GOAL DROUGHT
– Nick Parker and Robin Perrie, The Sun
Three Lions skipper Harry Kane has declared himself fit – and raring to go for his first goals of the World Cup.
Kane was top scorer at the 2018 tournament in Russia but is yet to hit the target in Qatar.
The striker, who turned provider as England battled through their opening three matches, now hopes to open the floodgates against Senegal in the round of 16.
He said: “I would love to be sitting here with two or three goals, for sure, but the group games have gone well.
“The games have not been too physical and going into the knockout stages I feel really good – fit and sharp and as match-fit as I will ever feel.”
There have been concerns over Kane’s fitness since he went down injured in England’s opening 6-2 win against Iran. He played the full 90 minutes against the USA but was withdrawn after 58 minutes against Wales as England won 3-0.
Manager Gareth Southgate also will not be surprised if Harry, 29, opens his account in the knockout game against the African Nations champs scheduled for 6am AEDT.
Harry’s last goal was against Germany in the Nations League at Wembley in September.
But Gareth insisted: “With Harry, you know the goals are coming. So the longer the period without them, then you know they’re coming pretty soon.’’
Southgate assured anxious fans that the squad have been preparing intensively in case of a dreaded penalty shootout.
England – which suffered spot-kick heartbreak at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley last year – has won just three out of ten in tournaments.
But Gareth said: “We are prepared and we’ve had a process we’ve followed.
“We’ve done that over the last few months but there’s so many other aspects to the game you’ve got to get right.
“We’re aiming to win the game and avoid extra-time and avoid penalties.
“But if we need to go 120 minutes or to go beyond that, we need to be ready mentally and physically – and I believe we are.”
England reached the semi-finals four years ago and finished runners-up at Euro 2020, and got off to a fine start in Qatar by winning Group B.
And they believe they can win the tournament in Qatar to finally end their agonising wait for a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
“That is not being over-confident, that is being humble enough to see what goes on in our training and how the staff prepare, and believing in ourselves too,” said defender John Stones.
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